Pigeons and gulls on roofs, in gutters and around bins are a common reason to call a pest controller, but every wild bird, its nest and its eggs is protected by law. The rules differ by nation. This guide covers Scotland and Wales, using NatureScot’s 2026 general licence GL03 and gull guidance, and Natural Resources Wales’ (NRW) 2026 General Licence 002 and gull guidance. England is covered in the guide to the GL41 and GL42 general licences, and Northern Ireland is not covered here. This is general information, not legal advice.
The starting point in both nations
Both regulators state that the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects all wild birds. NRW says any lethal action against wild birds, including taking or destroying eggs or nests, may be carried out only if authorised by a licence, and that unlicensed lethal action is an offence which may result in a fine, a custodial sentence or both. NatureScot says general licences allow authorised people to carry out activities that would otherwise be illegal, where it is satisfied that no other satisfactory solution exists.
Neither regulator treats mere nuisance as enough. NRW says a minor inconvenience such as droppings on a window or a car is not a public health or safety issue.
Scotland: general licence GL03/2026 for feral pigeons
NatureScot’s General Licence GL03/2026 covers killing or taking feral pigeons and Canada geese, and taking, damaging or destroying their nests and eggs, to preserve public health, public safety and prevent the spread of disease. It applies across Scotland from 1 January to 31 December 2026, unless revoked or on certain designated sites. The licence may be used by the owner or occupier of the land or anyone they nominate. Permitted methods include pricking or oiling eggs, destroying eggs and nests, taking by hand and shooting, and birds must be dispatched humanely using the method with the least impact.
No registration or reporting is required, but a person convicted of a wildlife crime cannot use the licence until the conviction is spent, and anyone who cannot use it may apply for an individual licence. Users should not use the licence within 500m of a listed designated site if they cannot meet that site’s standing conditions.
Scotland: gulls need an individual licence
NatureScot says there is no general licence for gulls on public health grounds. An online application for a Gull (Public Health and Safety) Licence is made separately for each site, and a new application is needed each year. Licences do not renew automatically and regular activity returns are required during the licence period.
NatureScot’s gull guidance sets a hierarchy. First comes prevention, such as scaring devices, nets, wires and spikes. Do not disturb a nest that is in use or being built. Some species’ nests have additional protection even outside active use. Before removing a nest or installing proofing, identify the species and check the current rules and any licence conditions with the relevant wildlife authority. Nest and egg removal can then be licensed, and killing chicks or adults only as a very last resort. Nuisance has no licensable purpose. Direct strikes on people usually count as a risk, while noise qualifies only in exceptional circumstances and small amounts of droppings on picnic benches are nuisance.
Wales: General Licence 002 for feral pigeons
NRW General Licence 002 (WCA/GEN/002/2026) permits an authorised person to kill or take feral pigeons, or take, damage or destroy their nests and eggs, to preserve public health, public safety or prevent the spread of disease. It runs from 1 January to 31 December 2026 and applies in Wales landward of the mean low water mark. Authorised persons include the owner or occupier or someone they authorise.
The licence says that an authorised person should first make reasonable efforts to achieve the purpose by lawful alternative methods and keep doing so. It does not apply within 300m of the listed protected sites (500m for the Dyfi Estuary), where a specific licence is needed. Cage traps must be a walk-in multi-catch cage trap or a pigeon trap, and must not go more than 25 hours between physical inspections; NRW advises inspecting more often and in daylight. It also advises keeping written records of non-lethal measures tried and of any licensed action for at least three years. The maximum Magistrates’ Court penalty for an offence under the Act is an unlimited fine or six months in custody or both.
Wales: gulls and non-lethal methods
NRW’s gull guidance, version 1.1 of March 2020, names the herring gull and lesser black-backed gull as the usual urban problem species. It expects a hierarchy of prevention measures, non-lethal alternatives, a licence application with supporting evidence and only then control measures. Cover bins and food waste. Before using scaring devices, check the species, the applicable wildlife rules and any licence conditions with the relevant authority.
NRW’s page on alternatives to lethal control lists scaring, excluding birds, making a site less attractive and encouraging birds elsewhere. A combination is likely to work better, as birds can become used to scaring.
Using a pest controller
Both regulators say a reputable pest controller can help develop a prevention plan. The guide to gulls nesting on a roof covers the wider legal protection.
FAQs
Can a householder use the Scottish pigeon licence?
GL03/2026 may be used by the owner or occupier of the land or anyone they nominate, provided they understand and follow its conditions.
Is there a general licence for gulls in Scotland?
NatureScot says no. Gull public health work needs an individual licence, applied for per site each year.
Does the Welsh licence ban trapping?
No, but NRW General Licence 002 allows only certain cage traps and sets an inspection interval of no more than 25 hours.
The bottom line
In Scotland and Wales feral pigeons can be controlled under 2026 general licences that carry strict conditions, while gull work in Scotland needs an individual licence and Welsh guidance sets a hierarchy that puts prevention first. Both regulators treat nuisance alone as insufficient. Prevention comes first, but check the species and current rules before removing a nest or fitting proofing. The 2026 licences expire on 31 December 2026, so later terms should be checked from NatureScot or NRW. This is general information, not legal advice.
Sources
- General licence for birds GL03/2026 (nature.scot)
- Birds: licences for public health and safety and air safety (nature.scot)
- Guidance on gull management (nature.scot)
- General Licence 002 (naturalresources.wales)
- Managing problems caused by wild birds: alternatives to lethal control (naturalresources.wales)
- Gull Management guidance note, v1.1 March 2020 (naturalresources.wales)